Blackmagic Design has announced ATEM Constellation IP, two new models of live production switchers that are fully SMPTE-2110 native. These new models retain the powerful features of the existing ATEM Constellation SDI-based switchers, so they are familiar to users, allowing a seamless transition between SMPTE-2110 and SDI-based switchers when both are in use within a facility. Designed for high-end broadcast and live production, the new design features front-to-back cooling, extensive redundancy, support for SMPTE-2022-7 on all 100G video ports, redundant PTP clock connections, 2 x 10G Ethernet control ports and redundant AC power supplies. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from US$7,995.
The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2026 booth N2502.
The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP has a dramatically different design to other models because it is designed for high-end broadcasters. The new design features front-to-back cooling with four fans that are extremely quiet. All connections feature full redundancy with SMPTE-2022-7 on all video ports, plus additional redundancy on the control and PTP Ethernet ports. A built-in LCD displays all standard ATEM Constellation status information and provides access to settings menus. The front panel even includes a headphone connection and built-in speaker for local programme monitoring.
The standard 4 M/E model has 32 standards-converted SMPTE-2022-7 inputs using four sets of dual redundant 100G Ethernet connections. Customers also get 24 SMPTE-2110 outputs, 16 ATEM Advanced Keys, four multi-views and two SuperSource for a total of 12 DVEs.
The massive 4 M/E Plus model has 64 standards-converted SMPTE-2022-7 inputs using eight sets of dual redundant 100G Ethernet connections. Customers also get 48 SMPTE-2022-7 outputs, 16 ATEM Advanced Keys, four multi-views and two SuperSource for a total of 12 DVEs.
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP features multiple SMPTE-2110 connections using 100G Ethernet, supporting eight input and eight output video channels on each connection. The switcher then maps inputs and outputs across its multiple 100G Ethernet connections. Each 100G Ethernet connection has two separate connectors, supporting SMPTE-2110 redundancy, so customers can connect each port to a separate network switch. SMPTE-2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching sends two identical video and audio copies across connections, then on the receive side compares incoming RTP packets by sequence number and reconstructs a perfect video frame from the first arriving packet of pixels. The switcher is totally seamless.
One of the advantages of SMPTE-2110 video is that normally all network video sources use the same video standard. However, live production is not always as straightforward as theory, as the real world is often chaotic. Sometimes customers need to handle video sources that are not operating in the same video standard that their ATEM switcher is set to. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP solves this problem because each input video channel has a dedicated standards converter. This means all video sources will be standards converted to the switcher standard automatically. Customers can simply route any video source into the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP and then get a stable video source. Everything just works.
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP supports all popular broadcast video standards. Plus, the standards converters on all switcher input channels mean customers can work with different video standards at the same time. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP can be switched to different HD and Ultra HD television standards, including 720p, 1080i, 1080p and 2160p up to 60p. This is critical when customers need to instantly adapt to the needs of the job anywhere in the world. Customers can also send talkback, tally and control to SDI equipment if they connect a Blackmagic SDI Expander 8x12G. These SDI switcher outputs can then be connected back to a camera for programme return, camera control and talkback.
Fairlight Live is the world’s most powerful 2110 software audio mixer designed for broadcast and live events. It supports routing audio to and from ATEM Constellation switchers via USB. Unlike hardware mixers, it natively supports stereo, surround and immersive audio. It includes powerful features such as third-party plug-in support, AFL/PFL solo, talkback and advanced input controls such as remote gain and dual inputs. Customers also get a cue player, snapshots, internal matrix and more. Customers can also run more than one system for multiple simultaneous users or full redundancy.
All ATEM 4 M/E Constellation switchers have simple built-in talkback that uses audio channels 15 and 16 for two-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras. Fairlight Live has multiple talkback buses as well as full audio channel routing on the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP, meaning customers can have as many talkback buses as needed. This enables enhanced talkback, including camera and engineering loops, commentator buses and separate mixes for everyone, all from the Fairlight Live software. Users simply route the talkback bus to channels 15 and 16 of any ATEM output and send that output to the required cameras or commentators.
The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP’s broadcast-style design features front-to-back cooling, so there is limited space for front panel controls. To solve this, customers can add an ATEM Monitoring Panel into their rack. It has the same controls as regular ATEM Constellation SDI models, but it is an independent monitoring converter and control panel combination. It features a rack-mount design with premium buttons for operating the switcher, along with a dedicated Ethernet control port. It is also a redundant 10G Ethernet SMPTE-2022-7 to 12G-SDI and HDMI converter for local video monitoring. There is also a five-pin talkback interface on the front panel.
“ATEM Constellation switchers are powerful and offer advanced features, but we have customers who are doing SMPTE-2110 workflows and need a native 2110 IP switcher rather than SDI,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Rather than just adding a lot of 10G Ethernet connections, we realised we needed a whole new design. Not only does front-to-back cooling mean they are quiet, but using bi-directional 100G Ethernet means each port can handle eight video inputs and outputs, so four cables replace 60 separate BNC cables on an SDI switcher. It is amazing. We cannot wait to see this switcher in action at large live broadcasts.”
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP Features
- Powerful native SMPTE-2110 live production switcher.
- Up to 64 inputs using eight sets of redundant 100G Ethernet connections.
- Works with 12G-SDI or SMPTE-2110 IP video.
- Redundant 100G Ethernet for full SMPTE-2022-7 compliance.
- Operates in cut-bus or professional mix effects switching styles.
- Full standards conversion and re-sync on all inputs.
- USB output operates as a webcam and supports all video software.
- Supports all ATEM hardware and software control panels.
- Includes up to four independent customisable multi-views.
- Includes mix, wipe, DVE and stinger transitions.
- Includes up to four DVEs.
- Internal media for stills and motion graphics.
- Includes four ATEM Advanced Chroma Keys per M/E row.
- Includes up to two SuperSource, each with four DVEs.
- Support for Fairlight Live audio mixing.
- Professional talkback compatible with ClearCom and RTS.
- Includes free ATEM Software Control for Mac and Windows.
- Compatible with ATEM Monitoring Panel.
- Compatible with ATEM Camera Control Panel.
- All features are included with no extra customer usage charges.
Availability and Price
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be available in June from US$7,995, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Visit https://www.blackmagicdesign.com
